Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Date: October 29th, 2025
Time: 8:30 PM CDT
Location: Target Center
Television Coverage: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network - North
Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
Four days ago we were supposed to get Showtime. Anthony Edwards vs. Luka Doncic. Amazon Prime debut. League-approved marquee showcase. Instead, we got flops, whistles, NBA-WWE crossover energy, and then both superstars limped out of the week on the injury report like two guys who’d been hit by invisible snipers.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots the ball againts Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) during the second quarter in game five of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
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So here we are. Wolves vs. Lakers, ESPN national TV… with no Ant, no Luka, no LeBron.
Not exactly the poster the league imagined hanging in Times Square, but you know what? It’s actually massive for Minnesota. This is a national referendum on the Wolves’ depth, and someone other than Anthony Edwards has to answer the bell.
The good news? They’re playing the same Lakers they sent into irreversible psychic despair last April. The bad news? The league will still happily try to whistle the Wolves into submission, especially now that Austin Reaves has suddenly been knighted into NBA royalty.
Let’s get right to it.
Keys to the Game
1. Austin Reaves must be treated like he’s 2011 Dwyane Wade — but without fouling.
The Lakers are running their entire offense through him with Luka and LeBron out, and Adam Silver is very into that right now, apparently. The whistle is insane. Jaden McDaniels needs to become the adult in the room here. If Jaylen Clark plays, that’s tag-team violence. If not? Donte and TSJ need to step up and assist with clamping down on the Lakers only real scoring threat.
Neutralize Reaves, and this game is basically over.
2. The frontcourt has to whoop ass. Period.
I said it last time, and it didn’t manifest. But this is where Minnesota should bury them. Rudy. Julius. Naz. This is your meal. Dominate the glass. This needs to look like varsity vs. junior high.
3. NO ISO BALL.
The Denver loss turned ugly the second the Wolves stopped trusting their passing identity. That cannot happen again with Ant out. The Wolves’ advantage is lineup depth, not some fake “my turn” offense. Dribbling the air out of the ball and then chucking up a bad shot is losing basketball.
4. Jaden McDaniels, go be a monster.
Jaden upped the aggression level vs. Denver. Now he needs to stay in attack mode. With Ant out, his passive nights are no longer acceptable. If you’ve got that left-hand finish, use it 12 times. Don’t float. Don’t fade. Hunt mismatches. He can, and should, go for 20+.
5. Julius Randle, tonight you are HIM. No apologies.
When Ant plays, Julius can be the best #2 in the league. Tonight? He needs to channel his Knicks-era “I’m the villain, let’s do this” energy.
30+ is not a bonus. It’s the assignment.
Bully ball. Elbows. Kickouts. Get Austin Reaves in a switch and send him into the third row. This is Julius’ chance to remind people just how serious his bag really is.
Final Thought
Nobody had “panic about Ant’s hamstring during the first week of the season” on their Wolves bingo card. But this is where real teams show their maturity. The Western Conference is a gauntlet. The Wolves don’t get to drop freebies against teams missing their two best players.
Win this one. Go to 3–2. Then tread water until Ant returns.
A nationally televised Wolves win without Edwards would be a statement. And maybe, just maybe, the league will realize this isn’t some novelty act. This is a real team. With real depth. And real teeth.
It’s time to bare them against the Lakers.